Jack McEneny, Chasan Building honored by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

TROY -- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the winners of its Historic Preservation Award Thursday. Two Capital Region notables were among the recipients.

Along with places including the Laraway Inn in Prattsville and the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct in Erie Canal Park, both Assemblyman Jack McEneny and the Chasan Building received awards for their contributions to historic preservation.

McEneny, D-Albany, is well-known as a local history buff and was recognized not only for his participation in historic resource surveys in the City of Albany, but also for creating Albany County's first archive of historical records. He was also honored for most recently serving on the Commission for the Restoration of the Capitol. He is retiring as a member of the New York State Assembly at the end of this year.

The Chasan Building in downtown Troy, which was recently restored in an effort led by Columbia Development Companies along with Rensselaer Polytechnic, also received an award. According to a press release, it took advantage of private and public sources of funding to move forward in what was described as, "an important component of the city's revitalization efforts," as well as encouraging the partners to rehabilitate Proctor's Theater nearby.